Machine for making matches.



No. 716,820. Patented Dec. 23, 1902.

J. A. E. BRISWELL.

MACHINE FUR MAKiNG MATCHES.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1901.) (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet r.

WITNESSES m VENTOI? No. 716,820. 1 Patented Dec. 23, 1902.

J. A. E. CBISWELL.

MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCHES.

(Application filed Apr. 26. 1901) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES: 19

N0. 7|6,82U. Patented Dec. 23, 982..

J. A. E. CBLSWELL. I MACHINE FOR MAKING lfiATfil-IES.

(Application filed Apr. 2Q 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-$heet 3.

, IIIII'IIJI III/I l WITNESSES worn-1.11am. WASHXRGTON. n. c

Mrs

JAMES A. EKIN ORISVVELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,820, dated December 23, 1902.

Application filed April 26, 1901.

To whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES A. EKIN CRIS- WELL, of New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Matches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to match-making ma chines, and more particularly to the class of machines disclosed in my Patent No. 656,014, dated August 14, 1900, and in my pending application, Serial No. 787,186, filed November 16, 1899, and my divisional application, Serial No. 52,005, filed March 20, 1901.

The primary object of the invention is to provide simple and efiicient means by which the splints may be cut from strips, cards, or blanks of veneer,,initially separated into independent rows, and then holding and carrying such independent rows bodily at once and further-separating them, and finally positively forcing such separated rows into suitable holding means to complete the matches.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide simple and eficient means by which the splints may be cut and then separated into a series of more than two independent rows, carried away from and clear of the cutting means, and then by means of plungers positively forcing the independent rows of splints into suitable holding means.

The invention will be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitndinal section, partly in elevation, of one form of machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of the splint cutting, separating, and forcing means for the splints. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the movable carrier plates or members for the splints. Fig. a is a fragmentary plan'view of the carrierplates in the position in which they receive the splints. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail plan view of one of the carrier-plate members. Fig. Gisafragmentary plan view showing a slightly-diiferent form of the carrierplates. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan through the fixed or initial separating $eria1'N0. 57,535. (No model.)

device. Fig. 8 isa fragmentary detail section of the fixed or stationary separating device in which the channels are provided with yielding walls. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section of means by which the splints are entirely separated by the fixed separating means and then carried bodily by the movable plates in position to be forced into" the holding means. Fig. lOis a fragmentary plan view of the carrying means shown in Fig. 9, and Figs. 11 and 12 are detail sectional views of different forms of carriers or holding means that might be employed.

The frame may be of any suitable form of construction, and projecting outwardly from the upward portion thereof is a hopper 11, in which are placed the cards or blanks 12. These blanks or cards are of the length and thickness of the splints and of a width snfiicient to provide a number thereof, and said blanks or cards are forced through the hopper 11 by a follower 13 against a backingplate 14 and under a suitable plunger 15. This plunger 15 is connected to slides 16, that are vertically movable in the guides 17, and said slides are connected to levers 18. The levers 18 are secured to a rock-shaft 18 and on said shaft is an arm 19, which has a yield- 1 ing connection with the levers 18. A short arm 20 projects outward from the arm 19, and both arms 19 and720 are loosely held on the shaft 18, the outer end of the arm 20 being connected to the strap 21, that is operated by an eccentric on the shaft 22. As the.

shaft 22 is rotated the lovers 18 will reciprocate the plunger and will force the cards 12 to a cutting device 23, and by the latter the cards will be cut into splints.

The cutting device 23 may be of any suitable form. As shown, it consists of a series of circular cutters 24, held on a spindle 25, that is journaled in suitable boxes carried by the frame. The cutters 24 cut the cards into splints against a preferably metailic roll 26, and as the splints are out they will be forced by the cutting means and the plunger 14mm a fixed or stationary separating means or device 27, the lower end of the plunger being slotted to pass by the cutters to assist in forcing the splints downward and to finally aline the. splints.

For the purpose of separating the splints various means may be employed. The stationary or fixed separating means 27, into which the splints are forced direct from the cutting device, may comprise two members 28 and 29, that provide a single way, pass, or opening 30 in the plane of the card immediatelybeneath the splint-cutting means and the channels 31, which diverge at right angles to the plane of the single way or pass and form a continuation thereof.

The parts thus far described are substantially the same as shown in my patent hereinbefore referred to.

The splints are initially separated by the channels 31 of the fixed or stationary means 27 into two independent and parallel rows, and working at right angles and beneath the channels is a carrier 32. This carrier is adapted to reciprocate in suitable bearings 33 and 34 and comprises two members 35 and 36, forming between them independent rows of splint receiving or holding devices 37, that are adapted at the proper time to register with the channels 31 of the initial separating means 27 and to receive the splints as they are discharged from the said channels. The carrier 32 comprises two independently-movable sets of plates or members, and said sets are independently connected at one end by the cross-bars 38 and at their other end by cross-bars 39, the said cross-bars 38 and 39 being held together by the tie rods or bars 40 to properly hold the members of the sets rigidly together and to provide for the splint receiving or holding devices 37. Each crossbar 39 is provided at each end with a lug or projection to which is pivoted one end of a link 41, the other end of said link being pivoted to a lever 42. These levers 42 are loosely held on a shaft or rod 43 and have one end thereof connected to vertically-movable slides 44. The slides 44 are suitably guided in the frame and have rolls at their lower ends which work in grooves in cams 45, that are secured to a shaft 46, so that as the shaft rotates the cams will operate the slides 44 at the proper time, and thereby move the levers 42 to carry the splints bodily over the plate 47. The links 41 of the two sets of plates or members of the carrier 32 are connected to the levers 42 at different distances from the shaft 43, so that said members will be moved different distances relatively to each other. As each set is adapted to hold a splint of each row as they are discharged from the channels 31 of the initial separating means or device 27, it will be seen that when the carrier is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 the splints will be further divided and will be separated into four independent and parallel rows, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3.

The splints as they are moved by the carrier 32 for further separation are carried over suitable openings 48 in the plate 47 and beneath the plungers 49. The plungers corre- 716, see

spend in number and position to the splint= receiving devices 37 of the carrier 32, and said plungers are secured to a movable head 50. This head 50 is held to slide between the member 28 of the separating means 27 anda portion of the bearing 34, and at the proper time the plungers are given a downward movement, so as to force the splints from the carrier 32 through the openings 48 in the plate 47 into suitable holding means or a holding-carrier 51, a plate 51 or other means being provided to take the thrust as the splints are forced into the holding means. To each end of the head or slide 50 and held thereto is a connecting-rod 52, which is pivoted at its lower end to a lever 53. These levers are pivotally held on the shaft 43 and have their rear ends connected with vertically-movable slides 54. The slides 54 are suitably guided in the frame and have their lower ends provided with rolls which work in grooves in the cams 55. As the cams 55 are rotated the slides 54 will be reciprocated, the levers 53 operated, and the plungers 49 given a quick downward-and-upward movement at each rotation of the shaft 46 to force the separated splints-into the holding means.

The holding-carrier 51 for the splints may be of any suitable form and may be fed to and through the machine to receive the splints in the usual or in any preferred manner. The carrier may comprise a plate 57, having openings therethrough in which are set the bushings 58, the said bushings being provided with spring clamping means for holding the splints, as shown in Fig. 11, or the carrier may have a plate 59, to which is secured a second plate 60, the latter having apertures for guiding the splints, while the plate 59 is provided with smaller apertures, which are adapted to compress and rigidly hold the ends of the splints.

The structures shown in Figs. 11 and 12 are substantially the same as described in my patent already referred to. The carrier may be made up of sections hinged or linked together, as shown in Fig. 1, or the sections may be independent of each other, and the carrier-sections may be provided with teeth which are engaged by gears 61, secured to the shaft 62, the latter being operated by any suitable mechanism so as to successively present the holding devices of the holding means or carrier in position to receive the splints as they are forced from the carrier 32 by the plungers 49.

Any suitable timing mechanism may be employed for operating the several parts. The main drive-shaft 64 is provided with a gear 65, and this gear meshes with a gear 66 on the shaft 46 and a gear 67 on the shaft 22. The gear 67 is in mesh with an idler 68 on the frame 10, and said idler is in mesh with a gear 69 on the spindle 25 of the cutting device, the pitch-lines only of the gears just described being shown.

IOC

The invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Assuming the parts'to be in position shown in Fig. 1 and the main drive-shaft 64 operated, the plunger 15 will be forced downward, so as to carry one of the cards to the cutting device 23. splints by the cutting device and will be forcedinto the single pass 30 of the initial separating means or device 27' and will force previously cut through the channels 31 into the splint receiving and holding devices 37 of the carrier 32. The carrier 32 will now be moved by the mechanism already described so as to divide the splints into four independent rows and will carry the divided rows of splints bodily at once beneath the plungers 49, as shown in Fig. 2. A quick reciprocatory movement is now'given to the plungers, so as to force the independent rows of splints into the holding means 51. This operation is repeated, and the holding means is given an intermittent movement, so as to receive the splints, as they are forced by the plungers from the carrier 32, and the matches may bethen completed automatically, or the independent sections, it such are employed, may be taken and the matches completed by hand in the usual manner.

From the foregoing it will been that simple and efficient means is provided whereby the splints are under positive control and whereby the splints may be properly separated and positively forced into the holding means in position for treatment tocomplete the matches. It will be further seen that in the structure shown the carrier 32 and the fixed separating means or device 27 comprise a separator in which one member is stationary and the other is movable.

The carrier 32 or movable member of the separator may have its splint-receiving devices 37 formed by two opposed plates, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, or two rows of splintreceiving devices 37 may be formed by two opposed bars or plates 69, as shown in Fig. 6.

Instead of the'members of the initial separating means 27 being heldrigidly one of the members thereof maybe yielding, as shown in Fig. 8. One member, as 70, in this case is rigid, and the other member '70 is held so as to have a limited movement either as a whole or said member 70 may comprise a series of independent yieldingly held plates. The member 70* is forced toward the member 70 by the springs 71, and said springs are secured to the cross-bars 72, two or more rods 73 being provided to guide and hold the member 70 in its proper position relatively to the member 70. This yielding member 70 provides yielding walls for the splints and permits the splints of large or unusual size to pass therethrough or to permit anything that would tend to clog the channels being forced through said channels by the incoming splints.

In Fig. 9 the splints are properly separated the splints The card will now be cut into by the fixed separating means and are then carried bodily into position to be discharged into the holding means instead of being initially separated by the fixed separating means and further separated by the movable carrier. -The cutting device 75L comprises two parallel spindles 74*, on which are held the cutters 75. These cutters are held properly spaced apart on the spindles or shafts, and said cutters overlapeach other and cut the splints from both sides. Beneath the cutting device is a fixed or stationary separating means 76, which has fingers 77,projecting upward therefrom between the knives or cutters, so as to form a single way, pass, or opening 78.- The fixed separating means or device may comprise two members 79 and 79 and the fingers '77 may project from only one of the members 79 or said fingers may pro ject from both members, as shown in dotted lines. The single way, pass, or opening of the separating means diverges into independent rows of channels 80, the number of rowsof channels in this instance being such as will divide the splints into three independent rows. The splints are discharged from the channels 80 into the carrier 81. This carrier has splint receiving and holding devices S1 and is held so as to reciprocate in the bearings 82 and 83. The splint-receiving devices 81 are formed by the two opposed members 84 and 85 of the carrier 81, as best shown in Fig. 10, the members 84 and 85 of the carrier being provided with the cross-bars 86 and 87. These cross-bars are connected together and held properly-spaced apart by the tie rods or bars 88. The cross-bar 87 has links 89 connected thereto at each endflwhich are pivoted to a lever 90, and-as said lever is operated the carrier will be reciprocated in the bearings 82 and 83, so as to carry the splints bodily at once under the plungers 49, from which they are ejected into a suitable carrier or holding means, as 91, in substantially the same manner as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be understood that instead of feeding small cards to the cutting device long blanks or strips may be fed thereto and a second cutting device arranged upon the machine, so that long splint strips may be cut into complete splints and the latter dischaged into a carrier to be further separated or to be simply carried by the movable carrying means and then forced, as already described, into the holding means. Instead of plunger-s for forcing the splints from the movable. carrier into the holding means the splints maybe discharged or forced into the holding means by a pneumatic connection, as an exhaust, or by any other suitable means.

The word veneer is intended to include any material from which may be made splints,- and though the means shown is for producing thesquareor rectangular splints the latter may vary according to the means for producing them.

employed The carrier 32 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) may comprise any number of sets for dividing the splints intoindependent rows instead of two sets, as shown. The relative position of the parts may be also changedas, for example, the fixed separating means may be arranged in a horizontal planeand the holding means or holding-carrier made to travel vertically through the machine to receive the splints without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise and dividing them intoindependent rows, and movable means for receiving the independent rows of splints and further separating them, and holding means for the splints.

2. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint cutting means, of a fixed stationary means receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, and movable means receiving the independent rows of splints and dividing them into a greater number of independent rows, and holding means for the splints.

3. In a match-making machine, the combination of splint-cutting means, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into independent rows, and movable means for receiving the independent rows of splints and further separating them, holding means for the splints, and plungers for forcing the splints from the movable separatingmeans into the holding means.

4. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of a fixed stationary device receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, and movable means receiving the independent rows of splints and dividing them into a greater number of independent rows, holding means for the splints, and plungers for forcing the splints from the movable separating means into the holding means.

5. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, and reciprocatory means receiving the independent rows of splints and further separating them, and holding means for the splints.

6. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, and reciprocatory means for receiving the independent rows of splints and further separating them, holding means for the splints, and plungers for forcing the splints from the reciprocatory separating meansinto the holding means.

7. In a match-making machine, the combination with a fixed or stationary separating device receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into independent rows, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the splints from the separating device and moving them bodily at once to the side thereof, holding means for the splints, and means for causing the splints to pass from the carrier to the holding means.

8. In a match-making machine, the combination with a fixed or stationary separating device receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into independent rows, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the splints from the separating device and moving them bodily at once to the side thereof, holding means for the splints,and plungers for forcingthesplints from the reciprocatory carrier into the holding means.

9. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of a separator receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into a series of independent rows, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the independent rows of splints and carrying them bodily to the side of the separator, holding means for the splints,and plungers for forcing the splints from the reciprocatory carrier into the holding means.

10. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means having cutters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row,,of a separating device receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows at right angles to the plane in which they are received, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the independent roWs of splints and carrying them bodily at once to the side of the separating device, holding means for the splints, and means by which the splints are discharged from the reciprocatory carrier into the holding means.

11. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means having cutters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row, of a fixed or stationary separating device receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, and reciprocatory carrying means carrying the splints bodily at once and separating them into a greater number of independent rows, and holding means for the splints.

12. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means having cntters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row, of a separating device receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows at right angles to the plane in which they are received, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the independent rows of splints and carrying them bodily at once to the side of the separating means, holding means for the splints, and

vplnngers for forcing the splints from the reciprocatory carrier into the holding means.

13. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means having cutters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row, of a fixed or stationary separating device receiving the splints endwise in a common plane and dividing them into independent rows, a reciprocatory carrier moving the splints bodily at once and separating them into a greater nnmberof independent rows, holding means for the splints, and plungersfor forcing the splints from the recipro' catory carrier into the holding means.

14. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of a separator comprising an initial fixed or stationary member and a second movable separating member which divide the splints into a series of more than two independent rows, holding I means for the splints, and plnngers for forcing the splints from the separating means into the holding means.

15. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cnttin g means, and means for feeding splint" material thereto, of fixed separating means receiving the splints end- Wise and dividing them into two independent rows, reciprocatory and slidable members having splint receiving or holding devices for the splints receiving the latter as they are discharged from the fixed separating means, means for operating the members so as to further separate the splints, and holding means for the splints.

16. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, and means for feeding veneer-splint material thereto, of a fixed separating device receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into two inde pendent rows, reciprocatory and slidable members having splint receiving or holding devices for the splints receiving the latter as they are discharged from the fixed separating means, means for operating the members so as to further separate the splint-s, holding means for the splints, together with plnngers for forcing the splints from the reciprocatory members into the holding means.

17. In a match-making machine, the combi nation with fixed separating means having a single Way, pass or opening and diverging into independent rows of channels forming a continuation thereof, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the independent rows of splints direct from the fixed separating means, holding means for the splints, together with plungers for forcing the splints from the carrier into the holding means.

18. In a match-making machine, the combination with fixed separating means having a single way, pass or opening and diverging into independent rows of channels forming a continuation thereof, a reciprocatory carrier receiving the independent rows of splints direct from the fixed separating means, holding means for the splints, together with plungers for forcing the splints from the reciprocatory carrier into the holding means.

19. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of fixed or stationary separating means having a single Way, pass or opening in the plane of the material and diverging into independent rows of independent channels forming a continuation of the single way, pass or opening, acarrier comprising two independently-movable sets of members having splint receiving and holding devices for the splints receiving the latter direct from the channels of the fixed separating means, means for reciprocating the independently-movable members to further separate the splints into a greater number of independent rows, and holding means for the splints.

20. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means, of fixed or stationary separating means having a single Way, pass or opening in the plane of the material and diverging into independent rows of independent channels forming a continuation of the single way, pass or opening, a carrier comprising two independently-movable sets of members having splint receiving and holding devices for the splints receiving the latter direct from the channels of the fixed separating means, means for reciprocating the.

independently-movable members to further separate the splints into a greater number of independent rows, holding means for the splints, and plunger-s for forcing the splints.

from the reciprocating-carrier members into the holding means.

21. In a match making machine, the combination with means for supplying splints, of initial separating means dividing the splints into independent rows, movable means receiving the independent rows of splints and further dividing or separating them, and holding means for the splints.

22. In a match-makingmachine, the combination with means for supplying splints, of initial separating means dividing the splints into independent rows, movable means receiving the independent rows of splints and further dividing or separating them, holding means for the splints, together with plungers for forcing the splints from the movable separating means into the holding means.

23. In a match-making machine, the combination With splint-cutting means having knives or cutters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into independent rows, two independent sets of members each having holding devices receiving the independent rows of splints direct from the splint-cutting means,

means for reciprocating the independent sets of movable members so as to carry the splints bodily at once'away from the fixed separating means and to further separate them into a greater nnmber'of independent parallel rows, and holding means for the splints.

24. In a match-making machine, the combination with splint-cutting means having knives or cutters spaced apart and cutting the splints in a close row, of fixed separating means receiving the splints endwise and dividing them into two independent rows, two independent sets of members each having holding devices receiving the independent rows of splints direct from the splint-cutting means, means for reciprocating the independent sets of movable members so as to carry the splints bodily at once away from the fixed separating means and to further separate them into agreater number of independent parallel rows, holding means for the splints, together with plungers for forcing lng means.

J. A. EKIN CRISWELL.

WVitnesses:

WM. R. DAVIS, JOHN G. PEARSE. 

